Moldovan police arrest 54 people during demonstrations by pro-Russian party

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - Moldova’s national police on Sunday announced it has detained 54 people during protests organized by the pro-Russian Shor party in the capital Chisinau.

“54 participants in the protest, including 21 minors, with questionable behavior and prohibited items in their possession, were taken to the Inspectorate for identification and documentation,” the Moldovan General Police Inspectorate said on Telegram.

The police also reported four bomb alerts in the capital, describing them as “an ongoing part of destabilization measures” in Moldova.

Another statement by the police also noted that protesters are ignoring the law, adding that protesters are not obeying police instructions and are aggressive with law enforcement officers.

“We ask for appropriate and non-violent behavior, including in relation to the police,” the statement said.

The Moldovan General Police Inspectorate on Saturday said it had information on a planned protest to “organize actions of destabilization and mass disorder.”

“We ask the organizers and participants to obey the legal requirements and not admit actions that would endanger the life and health of people, as well as the security of the state,” it declared, noting that traffic in certain streets would be partially blocked.

Tensions between Moldova and Russia rose when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed that Russia intends to “undermine the political situation in Moldova” last month, in response to which Moldovan President Maia Sandu said state institutions “confirmed” Moscow’s plans.

Russia has rejected the claims, saying the "true goal" of Kyiv, which "launched disinformation about the 'Russian plan to destabilize Moldova,'" is to engage Chisinau in a tough confrontation with Moscow.

Separately, Moscow said that Ukraine is preparing an "armed provocation" against Transnistria, an unrecognized breakaway region internationally recognized as part of Moldova but currently controlled by pro-Russian separatists.​​​​​​​